being a deacon

⁸Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit,

²Therefore, it is necessary for a bishop to be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, gracious, chaste, hospitable, a teacher,

¹¹Similarly, the women must be chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

¹²Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well.

³Old women, similarly, should be in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well,

¹Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work,

¹In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration. ²And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also. ³Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work. ⁴Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.” ⁵And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch. ⁶These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.

⁵For this reason, I left you behind in Crete: so that those things which are lacking, you would correct, and so that you would ordain, throughout the communities, priests, (just as I also ordained you)

⁸Similarly, deacons must be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing tainted profit, ⁹holding to the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰And these things should be proven first, and then they may minister, being without offense. ¹¹Similarly, the women must be chaste, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. ¹²Deacons should be the husband of one wife, men who lead their own children and their own houses well. ¹³For those who have ministered well will acquire for themselves a good position, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

²⁶For if we sin willingly, after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice remaining for sins,

¹Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.